New KCC commissioner says he will strive for balance

Jay Emler takes the oath of office to become the newest commissioner on the Kansas Corporation Commission on Friday afternoon. His wife, Lorraine, holds the Bible for the oath.

Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger administers the oath of office Friday afternoon to Jay Emler, the newest member of the Kansas Corporation Commission.

The newest Kansas Corporation Commission member said he plans to balance the interests of ratepayers and the utilities he has to regulate.

Jay Emler, who had represented Lindsborg as a Republican state senator since 2001, was sworn in as the third KCC commissioner Friday afternoon at the KCC building in Topeka.

He resigned from the Senate on Thursday following a unanimous vote to confirm his appointment. Gov. Sam Brownback nominated him for the open commission seat after former KCC commissioner Mark Sievers announced he intended to resign for personal reasons.

The KCC regulates the telecommunications, electricity, transportation, and oil and natural gas industries. Emler, who worked in telecommunications before he began practicing law and has served on the Senate utilities committee, said he is familiar with utility regulation but will need to learn about the KCC’s transportation duties. He also said moving from the Legislature to a regulatory body will require a shift in mindset.

“When you look at it from the political perspective, it’s a little different than looking at it from the judicial perspective,” he said.

Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger administered the oath of office. Before doing so, she spoke briefly about Emler, whom she said she has known since he was a judge in Lindsborg and she was a municipal judge in Overland park 23 years ago.

“You’re getting a gentleman that is brilliant but very humble,” she said. “He has a great sense of humor but is professional.”

The spectators, who filled more than half of the KCC’s first-floor hearing room, got a sample of Emler’s sense of humor after the swearing-in ceremony.

“I’m going to say a few words,” he said, then turned as if to leave. “I was told to say a few words. That was a few words.”

Emler jokingly asked the KCC staff to “bear with him” while he got up to speed. He also said he would be happy to take questions, except those from the press, which drew a laugh.

“And I still intend to fight with Mr. Springe,” he said, referencing David Springe, consumer counsel for the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board. Springe and Sievers had locked horns over CURB’s role in representing consumers in utility rate cases.